News & Intelligence

Focus Bikes has paused its thermoplastic carbon frame project after Belgian partner Rein4ced went bankrupt. The recyclable frames were set for a limited 2026 release.

SK On has created a process to replace costly carbon nanotube paste with powder in LFP battery cathodes, reducing production costs.

Researchers demonstrated improved mechanical properties in carbon fiber-polycarbonate composites using infrared-assisted automated fiber placement, highlighting its potential for semi-structural applications in aerospace and automotive industries.

Researchers created a hybrid electrode with nickel cobalt oxide and cadmium oxide on reduced graphene oxide, achieving 2700 coulombs per gram in charge storage for supercapacitors.

Researchers at the Federal University of Uberlândia developed a graphene oxide membrane achieving 99.04% hydrogen purity from mixed gas feeds, using a polydopamine primer on ceramic fibers.

Researchers have developed a new screening guide to rank methylene blue adsorbents, highlighting biochar's estimated production cost of approximately 0.5 dollars per kilogram.

Researchers developed a one-step method to convert CO2 into 3D graphene with a tunable structure, achieving over 200 mAh/g at 150C in lithium-ion battery anodes.

Researchers at the University of Minho demonstrated that Pyrograf III carbon nanofiber inks can transform cotton fabric into n-type thermoelectric textiles, achieving a conductivity of 35.4 siemens per meter.

Researchers in China have developed a fluorinated graphene catalyst that boosts zinc-air battery efficiency to 98% and extends operational life to over 820 hours.

Researchers converted pyrolysis bio-oil into carbon fiber that surpasses Department of Energy automotive performance targets, costing less than five dollars per pound.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science developed a recyclable carbon fiber composite with a 53% increase in flexural strength and 96% strength retention after recycling.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed a method to create laser-induced graphene circuits on kraft paper using a 355-nanometer ultraviolet laser, enabling flexible, biodegradable electronics.

Sitos Treehouse Plant has released its first batch of almond shell biochar, produced using slow pyrolysis.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign used coal-derived carbon nanodots to integrate high-quality dielectric layers on 2D semiconductors, achieving a leakage current density below 0.1 mA/cm².

A new biochar manufacturing plant is being established in India, utilizing abundant local resources like coconut shells and agricultural residues.

Researchers at the North University of China have optimized nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for lithium-ion battery anodes by pyrolyzing ZIF-67 at 700 degrees Celsius, enhancing fast-charging capabilities.

Researchers in the EU-funded MINIGRAPH project developed a magnetic robot to implant graphene electrodes in the brain along curved paths.

Dana Gas and Levidian have launched graphene production at Sharjah Graphene Park, with an annual capacity exceeding one tonne. The project began just four months after their initial agreement.

FFT Produktionssysteme's FibreTEC system reduces gripper weight by 41% compared to aluminum, enabling higher load capacity without larger robots.

POSCO Future M has signed a $4.5 billion long-term supply deal with Samsung SDI for lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, doubling their previous agreement's volume.

Researchers developed a graphene-enhanced MOF-303 composite that captures water from desert air using sunlight, achieving water collection of 0.254 grams per gram of material in 30 minutes.

Polish researchers developed a recycled plastic composite with carbon nanoplatelets that conducts heat over four times better than the original material. This innovation enhances potential applications in electronics.

India's domestic battery industry faces challenges due to a lack of local synthetic graphite and anode material production.

NorSAF and Nova Pangaea Technologies are collaborating to create a supply chain converting waste biomass into sustainable aviation fuel, with biochar as a carbon-negative byproduct.

Researchers at Khalifa University reviewed how graphene enhances high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They examined compounding techniques and found that graphene improves HDPE's thermal, electrical, and barrier properties when well-dispersed.

Verde Resources is commercializing its engineered biochar technology via partnerships, including one with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions.

Duo Packaging and the University of Manchester's GEIC have developed a graphene-enhanced polyethylene film, 2DPE, increasing recycled content to 60% and reducing film thickness to 28 microns.

AMP has secured $70 million in financing led by Galvanize to expand its AI-powered waste processing in Portsmouth, Virginia. The facility will process over 500,000 tons of waste annually.

Cotierra raised $3 million to expand its decentralized biochar systems for tropical agriculture. The funding, led by Carbon Removal Partners and PINC, will support commercial scaling.

A South Korean carbon fiber recycling start-up, Catack-H, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lineat to develop sustainable carbon fiber composites.

Graphite One is advancing its strategy to supply natural and artificial graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Continental is incorporating recovered carbon black from end-of-life tire pyrolysis into its tire production.

Researchers evaluated biochar as a sustainable substitute for coal and coke in steelmaking, focusing on its metallurgical, technical, and environmental impacts from input to steel production.

Haffner Energy received a €3.2 million contract to develop Quebec's inaugural Multi-Energy Hub, facilitating biochar and renewable fuel production.

Suzlon and Exel Composites have partnered for a multi-year agreement to manufacture carbon fibre composites for wind power applications.

Researchers in Texas discovered their plasma reactor, initially aimed at hydrogen production, also creates graphene oxide from methane. This unexpected find offers a potentially cheaper production method.

Washington University in St. Louis researchers developed a lignin-based carbon fiber that meets automotive standards, reducing production costs by 25% and using half the petroleum-derived precursor.

Researchers have published two studies cataloging nearly 9,000 two-dimensional materials, identifying over 1,600 candidates for twisting to create new quantum simulators.

Tokai Carbon plans to launch a pilot plant for producing 'eco Carbon Black' by the end of 2027, in collaboration with Bridgestone and Japanese universities.

HydroGraph UK and CEAMS have developed graphene-enhanced nylon compounds for hydrogen tank liners, aiming to improve durability and reduce costs by addressing failure modes in Type IV tanks.

Exomad Green and Carbonfuture will supply 1.1 million tonnes of biochar carbon removal by 2035, tackling Bolivia's supply issues with certified pyrolysis and comprehensive digital tracking.

ARIA is funding the development of perovskite-carbon fiber-reinforced polymer solar cells for use in stratospheric aircraft.

BIG has obtained $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to expand biochar carbon removal initiatives throughout Africa.

Montauk Renewables has opened a $200 million facility in Sampson County, North Carolina, turning swine waste into renewable energy and biochar.

Colorfix presented commercial results for graphene-enhanced polyethylene films, including downgauging in baling, stretch, shrink and HDPE applications. The company reports resin savings and performance improvements across several packaging formats.

Researchers led by Drexel University developed a gas-phase method to produce MXene crystals, eliminating costly and wasteful steps. This approach uses titanium tetrachloride and methane as precursors.

Researchers are exploring biochar-derived carbon nanomaterials to potentially reduce the cost of green hydrogen production.

Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a carbon fiber precursor using waste lignin, reducing production costs by 25% and cutting reliance on petroleum-based materials.

Bergen Carbon Solutions has secured a patent for its carbon purification technology, reinforcing its intellectual property in carbon material processing and supporting its strategy for high-quality carbon products.

Haydale's graphene-based additive boosts thermal conductivity in glycol coolants by 28%, aligning performance with water while preserving glycol's protective properties. The company is expanding market partnerships and production capacity.

Iowa State University researchers developed a method to print electronic circuits on 3D objects using aerosol-jet printing. NASA supports the commercialization with a $150,000 grant.

Researchers have developed a vapor-phase synthesis method to produce MXene nanomaterials, potentially reducing costs and improving scalability for electronic, environmental, and quantum technology applications.

Researchers found that tiny wrinkles in graphene can alter its electrical properties. This discovery could lead to advanced control of electricity in ultrathin materials, enhancing sensor and electronic device performance.

Levidian has introduced NanoFlow™ A1-30, a 30 wt.% aqueous graphene dispersion with water-like viscosity, expanding its NanoFlow™ range for easy integration into water-based applications.

KVE has expanded its facility in The Hague by 1,800 square meters to meet growing demand for composite components in aerospace and defense, marking its 30th anniversary under Daher's ownership.

Recovered carbon black from end-of-life tyres is being considered to boost localisation in Indian tyre manufacturing.

Schwalbe will expand its tyre recycling program beyond Germany in 2027, using pyrolysis to produce recycled carbon black and pyrolysis oil from the rubber.

The University of Southern Queensland received a $1.3 million grant to create sodium-ion battery electrodes that can self-repair using engineered graphene and polymer networks.

Talga Group has signed a non-binding letter of intent with EAS Batteries for a graphite anode supply from its Vittangi project in Sweden, aiming for a binding agreement by 2027.

Caterpillar offers graphene battery packs for power tools, featuring fast-charging and long-lasting performance. These batteries fully charge in just 20 minutes, enhancing tool efficiency and reliability.

The NCC-led SusWIND program reports that recycled wind turbine blade glass fiber can achieve a carbon footprint similar to virgin fiber if recyclers improve pyrolysis efficiency and polymer recovery.

Green Carbon and ATOA Carbon plan to build biochar facilities in India, each processing 50 tons of biomass daily and generating carbon credits.

OroCarbo has reserved 12 Haffner systems for renewable hydrogen hubs planned in California, Oregon, and Washington State, utilizing residual biomass for clean energy production.

Novacium and Tokai COBEX are collaborating to evaluate a silicon and synthetic graphite anode material solution in France, aiming to enhance lithium-ion cell energy capacity.

Researchers in South Korea have developed an insulation material from spent coffee grounds that performs comparably to Styrofoam. The material is biodegradable and uses a plant-based binder.

Researchers at the University of Castilla-La Mancha used zinc chloride to activate biochar from olive stones, creating a catalyst that achieved 20% CO2 conversion to methane.

Char Technologies is launching its first commercial-scale pyrolysis plant in Thorold, Ontario, this month. The facility will produce biocarbon and renewable natural gas from woody biomass.

Researchers increased concrete's compressive strength by 29.3% by replacing 15% of sand with biochar from coffee grounds, charred at 350 degrees Celsius.

Researchers in the US and UK observed flexoelectricity in graphene, finding that extremely sharp bends create significant electrical polarization. This discovery aligns with theoretical predictions from 2008.

Nova Pangaea Technologies finished testing its biomass process, handling up to three tonnes of softwood residues daily. The company plans to establish its first commercial plant.

Young entrepreneurs in Ecuador, Senegal, Nigeria, and Bangladesh are transforming land restoration into economic opportunities, supported by the Youth Ecopreneur Programme. Their projects integrate technology and sustainable practices to boost productivity and market viability.

CCIC has launched a pilot line for producing ContRGF fabrics, using recycled carbon fibers for automotive and other applications. A hybrid automotive hood was demonstrated with this material.

Lineat Composites is using Techlan's recycled Re-Liners to enhance sustainability in its production of aligned recycled carbon fiber.

Researchers and industry leaders in Jakarta urge converting Palm Oil Mill Effluent into biogas. Indonesia's vast effluent pool remains largely untapped due to a lack of binding regulations.

Aviva is repurposing its gasification facility to produce biochar, generating 12 MW of electricity and around 47,000 carbon-removal units.

Levidian has launched NanoFlow-S1-20, a graphene additive containing 20 wt.% G3 graphene, designed for easy integration into solvent-based paints using standard mixing equipment.

MIT researchers have developed a method to grow large, air-stable niobium diselenide films using graphene encapsulation. This advance could lead to more compact superconducting quantum devices.

Automated Fibre Placement and high-pressure resin transfer moulding have made carbon fibre components more viable for mass automotive production, increasing their use in everyday vehicles.

Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a graphene oxide membrane that efficiently separates water from isopropanol, reducing energy use in solvent purification.

NIT Rourkela has patented a 3D-reinforced composite technology that boosts Fibre-Reinforced Polymer strength and durability, with potential applications in aerospace and automotive industries.

The Ellington anaerobic digestion facility will use 115 tons of Arigna biochar for ground stabilization, aiding carbon offset in construction. Completion is expected in approximately 18 months.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality awarded $1 million for mobile biochar equipment to convert Hurricane Helene debris into a soil amendment for flood-damaged farmland in Haywood County.

The federal government is providing $7 million to the Capital Regional District for a biosolids project on Vancouver Island, transforming wastewater treatment leftovers into biochar.

Researchers developed a non-invasive glucose monitoring device using carbon nanotubes and a 2D nickel-based metal-organic framework.

Teijin Limited has developed a thermosetting carbon fiber-reinforced plastic with a self-healing function and high recyclability, aiming to provide samples by 2028.

Graphene Manufacturing Group has partnered with Blackwoods to distribute its graphene-based lubricant additive, G® LUBRICANT, across Australia.

Arigna will supply 115 tonnes of biochar for ground stabilisation at the £35m anaerobic digestion plant in Northumberland, reducing the project's embodied carbon.

Penn State researchers are assessing the sustainability of Woodland Biomass Innovations' plan to convert 1,000 tons of wood residues daily into gasoline and biochar in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

Goodwill is collaborating with Western University and Fanshawe College to recycle textile waste into biochar using pyrolysis, diverting 5,000 pounds of clothing from landfills over four years.

CCI BioEnergy has secured a contract to supply equipment for the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility in Toronto.

Researchers at Fudan University developed a 2D flash memory chip using graphene that stores data with a single electron at room temperature, significantly reducing energy consumption.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Universität Potsdam, and Empa developed a solar cell with 27.3% efficiency using a graphene oxide and self-assembled monolayer bilayer, targeting 30% efficiency.

Vink Chemicals and pyropower GmbH celebrated the topping-out of a new biochar power plant in Schwerin, Germany, designed to supply energy to Vink's production site.

An Australian company plans a $30 million biochar facility in central Queensland, with Rio Tinto committing to purchase the biochar to potentially reduce coal use in its operations.

The EU's proposed carbon market update could allow hemp-based carbon storage technologies to qualify for trading in the Emissions Trading System starting in 2030.

Weiwa Machinery shipped a continuous carbonization furnace to Pakistan, designed for high-capacity biochar production from local agricultural residues like coconut shells and rice husks.

Hexagon Agility manufactures carbon-fiber tanks in Lincoln for storing and transporting natural gas, supporting data center operations.

Researchers at QUT developed a molecular strategy to prevent carbon nanotube clumping, enhancing thermal power efficiency for wearable devices that convert body heat into electricity.

Researchers created a flexible memristor using perovskite quantum dots and graphene oxide, improving low-light image recognition by over 10% and doubling the signal-to-noise ratio.

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd signed an exclusive MOU with Alstom to develop graphene products for rail HVAC systems.

Graphene Leaders Canada has commercialized its graphene-enhanced electroless nickel additive, offering improved corrosion resistance and wear performance. The technology is now available to industrial sectors worldwide.

Smoltek has joined the MAXBATT consortium, which includes Scania and Volvo, to enhance sustainable battery production using carbon nanofiber technology.

Operators can boost profits from tire pyrolysis by refining oil and carbon black into higher-value products. Upgraded materials meet industrial standards, attracting stable buyers and better margins.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a process to convert methane into graphene oxide using a nonthermal plasma-water interface, potentially reducing production costs.

A major tyre producer reports increased use of recycled carbon black in their products.

Biochar from carbonization plants is now recognized as a valuable engineered carbon sink, offering new revenue opportunities beyond its traditional use as a soil amendment.

Eramet and the Gabonese Republic signed a memorandum to develop a biochar production sector using forestry by-products. An industrial seed fund "Made in Gabon" will also be launched.

Researchers at the World Resources Institute report that current global CO₂ removal capacity is insufficient to meet the 2030 target of one billion tonnes, with technologies like Direct Air Capture and biochar facing high costs and scalability challenges. This shortfall impacts the advanced carbon materials sector, as these technologies are crucial for achieving net-negative emissions and supporting the sustainable use of biochar and other carbon-based solutions.

Researchers at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology have developed a room-temperature infrared phototransistor using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and lithium niobate (LiNbO3), achieving specific detectivities of up to 10^10 cm·Hz^1/2/W. This advancement in SWCNT-based pyroelectric phototransistors could lead to more affordable and portable IR sensing technologies, potentially transforming applications such as thermal imaging, environmental monitoring, and optical communications.

NanoMalaysia (NMB) is set to begin small-scale production of a graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles at its 15,000-square-foot facility in Sepang, Malaysia. By incorporating graphene instead of graphite, the battery aims to triple energy storage capacity, which could significantly enhance the performance of carbon-based materials in EV applications.

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new perovskite solar cell by incorporating graphene, enhancing its durability and efficiency. This advancement in perovskite technology could significantly reduce production costs and improve the performance of solar cells, potentially increasing the adoption of lightweight, flexible solar solutions over traditional silicon-based panels.

HydroGraph Clean Power has launched Fractal Graphene Paste, a pre-dispersed aqueous concentrate containing 20% graphene by weight, designed to simplify the incorporation of graphene into water-based industrial formulations. This development is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as it addresses the dispersion challenges associated with graphene, potentially accelerating its adoption in applications such as construction materials, coatings, and thermal management systems.

The RM of Ritchot has signed a memorandum of understanding with a biochar manufacturer to extend its landfill operations. This partnership could enhance the use of biochar in waste management, potentially improving sustainability and generating economic benefits.

Nex Cap Energy has identified key industries that benefit most from graphene supercapacitors, highlighting sectors such as telecommunications, electric vehicle fleets, solar, and marine applications. This development underscores the potential of graphene in enhancing energy storage solutions across diverse fields.

Firefly Aerospace has secured a $13 million subcontract from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to produce and test the aeroshell for the SkyFall Mars mission, slated for a late 2028 launch. This project will utilize carbon fiber composites for the aeroshell's backshell and heatshield, highlighting the material's critical role in protecting spacecraft during the harsh entry, descent, and landing phases on Mars.

The Government of Québec has announced its Plan de gestion intégrée des ressources énergétiques (PGIRE), committing $87 billion over 25 years to boost renewable energy, including forest bioenergy. This investment could significantly advance the production of renewable natural gas and biocarbon, both critical for decarbonizing industries reliant on carbon-based fuels.

Hina Battery is establishing a 2 GWh sodium-ion battery production line in Wuhan to support commercial transport and cargo operations along the Yangtze River. This development is significant as it leverages local carbon resources to reduce reliance on imported lithium, ensuring stable battery supply for heavy-duty vehicles.

Converting accumulated forest biomass into biochar is being put forward as a wildfire prevention measure, tackling the untreated combustible material that satellite monitoring shows is driving record burn areas.

Avadain has developed a new graphene type called Large, Thin, Defect-Free (LTDF) graphene, which features flakes in the 25-100+ µm² range and averages under 5 atomic layers, aiming to enhance applications in critical minerals, rare-earth-free magnets, and high-power electronics. This advancement is significant because it addresses key limitations of commercial graphene, such as flake size, layer count, and defect density, potentially improving the performance of carbon-based materials in demanding applications.

Turquoise Group has achieved Verified Graphene Producer® status, confirming its capability to produce 30 tonnes of high-purity few-layer graphene annually at its Brisbane facility. This certification enhances the company's credibility in delivering high-quality graphene, a material crucial for applications in coatings, composites, and energy storage.

Researchers at the Institute of Environment under the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center have developed a technology for large-scale biochar production from agricultural and forestry biomass, capable of producing over 50,000 tonnes annually. This advancement in biochar technology supports environmental sustainability by transforming agricultural waste into a high-value carbon-rich material, with applications in soil enhancement, energy storage, and more.

Verde Resources, through its subsidiary Verde Renewables, has signed a 10-year Master Commercialization and Collaboration Agreement with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions to supply engineered biochar for road paving and manage associated carbon removal credits. This partnership positions Verde as a key supplier in the asphalt industry, leveraging biochar to create sustainable infrastructure solutions and potentially generating additional revenue through carbon credits.

Researchers from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new infrared sensor using single-walled carbon nanotubes, which shows a conductivity change 10,000 to 100,000 times more pronounced than graphene. This advancement could lead to more sensitive and compact thermal cameras and medical sensors, leveraging the unique properties of carbon nanotubes for enhanced infrared detection without the need for cooling.

Verde Resources and Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions have signed a 10-year agreement to advance the use of engineered biochar in cold paving applications, moving their collaboration into a commercial phase. This development is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as it tests biochar's practical performance in real-world infrastructure projects, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of carbon-storing materials in road maintenance and construction.

Researchers at Peking University have developed the first all-carbon nanotube CFET digital logic circuits, achieving highly balanced electrical performance between p-type and n-type transistors. This advancement is significant for the future of carbon nanotube technology, as it introduces a new path for high-density computing architectures in artificial intelligence and edge computing applications.

Physicists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have demonstrated that carbon nanotori, specifically C₁₂₀, C₁₄₄, and C₁₆₈, can generate and control toroidal dipole moments, offering a third control channel for quantum computers with zero crosstalk. This discovery is significant for quantum computing as it introduces a new method for qubit control that is orthogonal to existing electric and magnetic control methods, potentially reducing errors caused by crosstalk in superconducting quantum processors.

Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov met with representatives from Full Vision Capital, Towngas, and EcoCeres to discuss a project for producing sustainable aviation fuel from industrial oilseeds. This initiative could enhance the use of carbon materials like biochar by utilizing agricultural and food waste, contributing to environmentally friendly fuel alternatives.

The International Virtual Institute of Global Changes and COMLURB have converted approximately one ton of urban tree trimmings in Rio de Janeiro into 300 kilograms of biochar and pyrolytic oil using pyrolysis. This initiative transforms municipal green waste into valuable resources for soil improvement and energy research, highlighting a sustainable approach to waste management in the carbon materials sector.

INNANO Ltd has established its operations at Exeter Science Park to further develop its graphene-enabled technologies for next-generation protective coatings. This move supports the advancement of graphene as a smart material, enhancing the protection, durability, and performance of materials in sectors like construction and energy.

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a covalent organic framework (COF)-graphene interlayer that significantly reduces polysulfide shuttling in lithium-sulfur batteries, achieving a high reversible capacity of 1455.7 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹. This advancement is crucial for the practical deployment of lithium-sulfur batteries, as it addresses the long-standing challenge of polysulfide migration, potentially leading to more efficient and durable energy storage solutions.

First Graphene Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Sixth Element (Changzhou) Material Technology Co Ltd to distribute its PureGRAPH® CEM additive in China. This agreement targets the cement and concrete sector, offering a significant opportunity for graphene-enhanced materials to reduce carbon emissions in the world's largest cement market.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new method to produce graphene oxide from methane using a plasma-based reactor, which simultaneously generates hydrogen as a byproduct. This scalable approach could reduce reliance on graphite for graphene oxide production, offering a cost-effective alternative for applications in batteries, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Coffee!Up in the Czech Republic is transforming used coffee grounds into products like natural soap, coffee oil, biomass, and biochar, as highlighted by the European Commission. This initiative is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector because it demonstrates the potential for waste coffee grounds to be converted into valuable materials such as biochar, which can improve soil health and contribute to carbon sequestration efforts.

W&nergy and Enerfip in France have launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance the conversion of local biomass into renewable syngas and high-stability biochar. This initiative could enhance biochar production, which is valued for its potential to improve soil health and sequester carbon.

Talbros has partnered with Lohum to establish a joint venture for trading, manufacturing, and refining recovered carbon black. This collaboration aims to enhance the supply chain and utilization of recovered carbon black, a sustainable alternative to traditional carbon black in composites and rubber products.

Researchers at the International Virtual Institute of Global Changes, COPPE/UFRJ, in partnership with COMLURB, have converted one ton of urban pruning waste in Rio de Janeiro into approximately 300 kilos of biochar and pyrolytic oil. This initiative demonstrates the potential of using urban plant waste as a raw material for producing carbon-rich biochar, which can be used as a soil conditioner and for carbon storage, contributing to sustainable waste management and decarbonization efforts.

Researchers have identified several uses for Fullerene C70 in organic photovoltaics, organic electronics, and advanced nanomaterials, noting its unique elongated carbon cage structure and electron-accepting behavior. This matters because C70's distinct optical and electronic properties, compared to C60, make it a valuable material for studying and optimizing charge transport and light absorption in these advanced carbon-based applications.

Talbros Automotive Components has formed a joint venture with Lohum Cleantech to create Lohum Talbros CarbonTech Private Limited, focusing on the production of recovered carbon black and devulcanized rubber. This collaboration marks Talbros' strategic move into sustainable automotive materials, leveraging advanced carbon materials like recovered carbon black to support the circular economy.

Bakkafrost Scotland showcased its Applecross recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility during a visit by Scotland’s marine minister, highlighting its strategy of rearing salmon longer in freshwater conditions. The facility plans to install pyrolysis technology to convert hatchery waste into biochar, aligning with efforts to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability in aquaculture.

Avadain has increased its crowdfunding cap to $3.75 million to support its graphene production initiatives. This funding boost is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as Avadain's graphene has the potential to replace silver in printed electronics and mined graphite in battery anodes.

Integrals Power has been selected as the LMFP supplier for the EU-funded OLiMPUS battery project, which aims for mass production in Europe by 2032. This development is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as it involves synthetic graphite anodes, which are crucial for reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing the sustainability of battery production.

Researchers at UCLA have demonstrated that adding 0.05 percent graphene oxide by weight to concrete can increase its 28-day compressive strength by over 20 percent. This finding clarifies graphene oxide's role in enhancing concrete strength, potentially paving the way for its effective commercial application in construction.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that biochar plants under construction in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, will contribute to earning carbon credits and creating employment. This development is significant for the biochar sector as it highlights the potential of biochar to support sustainable economic growth and carbon management.

The recovered carbon black (rCB) market, produced by pyrolyzing end-of-life tires, is projected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, with each ton of rCB saving up to 1.7 tons of CO2 compared to virgin carbon black. Inconsistent output quality and complex regulatory requirements remain the primary barriers limiting broader adoption of rCB as a substitute feedstock in tire, rubber, and carbon materials manufacturing.

AMSA, ELSAN, and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya developed an asphalt mixture incorporating biochar derived from olive pits and pine residues via pyrolysis, with lab tests showing up to 75% emissions reduction in the treated pavement layer. The development expands biochar applications into road construction, positioning agricultural and forestry waste as a carbon-sequestering input for infrastructure materials.

The MXeneCatSus COST Action is a European research network established to engineer MXene-based catalysts—two-dimensional materials made from Earth-abundant elements—for hydrogen generation, CO2 conversion, and nitrogen fixation. The initiative is relevant to advanced carbon materials research as MXenes share structural and functional characteristics with other 2D carbon materials and are being developed as alternatives or complements to graphene in catalytic applications.

Researchers at the University of Aveiro developed 3D-printed filters from bauxite refining waste (red mud) that removed over 90% of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin within one hour under UV light. The work demonstrates a functional application for carbon nanotubes in photocatalytic water treatment using industrial byproducts, with the material retaining performance across multiple decontamination cycles.

Graphene-based energy storage systems have been reported to reach energy densities up to 650 Wh/kg, compared to 150–250 Wh/kg for conventional lithium-ion batteries, according to a report focused on Italy's renewable energy storage needs. This performance gap highlights graphene's potential role in grid-scale storage applications, a key growth area for the advanced carbon materials sector.

Canada's graphene sector has developed across production, construction, filtration, printed electronics, and energy storage, with companies such as NanoXplore operating a 4,000-metric-ton-per-year facility in Montréal and firms like Zentek and Graphene Leaders Canada advancing application-specific products toward commercial deployment. The ecosystem signals a shift from materials science demonstration toward repeatable industrial use cases in carbon-based composites, conductive additives, and separation technologies, though commercial viability still depends on product qualification, standardization, and cost competitiveness against incumbent materials.

Researchers at POSTECH in South Korea engineered hollow silicon nanotube structures that reduced thermal conductivity by 70% compared to solid silicon nanowires by trapping phonons at near-room temperature. The approach uses abundant silicon compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing, offering a potential alternative to rare-material-dependent thermoelectric devices for waste heat recovery in data centers, EV batteries, and industrial facilities.

Researchers at Shihezi University used phosphoric acid-activated walnut shell biochar to catalytically pyrolyze waste agricultural plastic mulch film at three temperatures (300, 350, 400 °C), finding that 350 °C maximized olefin selectivity at 69% while 400 °C reduced tar deposition and produced carbon deposits with lower activation energy for easier regeneration. The findings give biochar catalyst developers a temperature-based framework for balancing product selectivity against catalyst deactivation and regenerability in agricultural plastic pyrolysis systems.

Penn State researchers converted waste PET plastic bottles into synthetic graphite by blending shredded PET with 2.5% graphene oxide by weight and applying heat treatment, producing crystallite dimensions that exceeded those of natural graphite without metal catalysts. The metal-free process reduces post-processing steps needed to achieve battery-grade purity and could supply graphitic carbon for lithium-ion anodes and hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries from a single plastic waste feedstock.

Researchers at RMIT University published a study in the Journal of Cleaner Production showing that spent coffee grounds processed via pyrolysis into biochar can increase concrete strength by up to 30%. The finding is relevant to the biochar sector as it demonstrates a scalable pathway for converting organic waste into a functional carbon-based construction material, potentially reducing landfill volumes and demand for natural sand.

A review published in *Biochar* by Rasool et al. compared conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, finding that microwave-derived biochars exhibit higher surface area, stronger mesoporosity, and greater retention of functional groups. For the biochar sector, the findings indicate microwave-assisted pyrolysis can produce more effective adsorbents for heavy metals and organic pollutants, though reactor scale-up and energy balance challenges must be resolved before industrial adoption.

Jamco joined a NEDO-led Japanese consortium—including Nagoya University, Subaru, and JAXA—to develop a circular economy supply chain for recovering and reusing CFRP from retired aircraft. The project targets a persistent gap in the carbon fiber composites sector: the lack of validated processes and standards needed to reintroduce recycled CFRP into certified aircraft components.

Holcim conducted biochar concrete pilot projects across Europe in 2025, including test pours with Canary Wharf Group using biochar from forestry residues and coffee grounds, producing their first net-zero concrete mix. The trials signal a shift for the biochar sector from experimental additive to commercial-scale construction material, with Holcim describing it as a high-performance emissions-reduction input rather than a niche product.

Bolder Industries received final permits on 15 June 2025 to build an 86ktpa end-of-life tire pyrolysis facility at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, to be developed in two phases with EU Innovation Fund co-funding. The plant will supply recovered carbon black at commercial scale to European markets, adding to Bolder's existing US operations in Missouri and Indiana.

The EU-funded HOOP project helped eight European cities and regions mobilise EUR 124 million to convert urban biowaste into circular bioeconomy outputs including biochar, biogas, bioplastics, and agricultural nutrients. Biochar production via pyrolysis emerged as a replicable pathway across multiple territories, with Kuopio (Finland) establishing an operational pilot plant and Münster (Germany) confirming technical feasibility, signaling growing municipal-scale demand for pyrolysis infrastructure relevant to the biochar sector.

TNB Research has operated an anaerobic digestion and torrefaction pilot facility in Kajang since 2018, processing up to 350kg of food waste daily to produce biogas with 60–65% methane content and 10–30kg of biochar per torrefaction cycle. The biochar output is being evaluated for carbon material applications, soil improvement, and solid fuel enhancement, with data from the pilot intended to inform future scale-up decisions.

BRIN's Molecular Chemistry Research Center used slow pyrolysis to convert empty oil palm fruit bunch waste into bio-oil, liquid smoke, and biochar, with processing times of two to four hours. The process yields biochar as a value-added carbon material and bio-oil containing phenolic compounds usable as industrial boiler fuel or potential fuel additives.

Alastair Collier, chief R&D officer of A Healthier Earth, argues in this op-ed that the carbon removal sector's primary obstacle is no longer technological but structural, citing fragmented credit markets, misaligned procurement timelines, and the absence of durable policy frameworks as the core barriers to scale. For the biochar and broader CDR industry, the piece highlights that integrating high-integrity removals into mechanisms like the UK and EU ETS could provide the long-term demand signals and price certainty needed to move projects from pilots to industrial-scale infrastructure.

The Advanced Carbons Council published a position paper in May 2026 arguing that carbon credit financing should be redirected from geological carbon capture and sequestration toward conversion of captured carbon into advanced materials such as graphene, carbon fiber, biochar, and carbon nanotubes. The paper contends that carbon-to-materials conversion projects are commercially self-sustaining without ongoing subsidies, unlike CCS, and deliver compounding lifecycle emissions reductions across sectors including construction, aerospace, agriculture, and energy storage.

The Advanced Carbons Council published an overview of graphene and other advanced carbon materials being adopted in construction, citing applications in concrete (Concretene, First Graphene, Versarien), asphalt, and corrosion-resistant coatings (Petronas). These developments indicate growing commercial deployment of graphene additives in construction materials, with documented performance gains in compressive strength, road durability, and steel protection at low material loadings.

The Advanced Carbons Council highlights graphene and related carbon materials being adopted in construction applications including concrete additives (Concretene, First Graphene), graphene-reinforced 3D-printed components (Versarien), asphalt modification, and corrosion-resistant coatings (Petronas). For the advanced carbon materials sector, construction has emerged as a leading commercial deployment area, with multiple suppliers demonstrating validated, scalable products that improve strength, durability, and emissions performance without requiring major process changes.

Nanospan commercially launched GalvaShield-G, a graphene-enhanced corrosion inhibitor coating for offshore wind turbine towers and monopile foundations, priced at EUR 18 per litre and produced at its Hyderabad facility at 1,200 tonnes per annum capacity. The product demonstrates a commercial application of graphene in protective coatings for harsh marine environments, with third-party-validated maintenance interval extension from 5 to 12 years supporting the case for graphene's functional value in infrastructure composites.

Researchers at EMPA demonstrated a graphene-composite leading-edge skin that reduces aircraft de-icing energy consumption by 60%, achieving ice shedding at 5 W/cm² in panels tested at -25°C and 240 km/h after 1,200 cycles without delamination. The result advances graphene's case as a functional heating element within carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer structures for aerospace applications, with EMPA now scaling production toward trial integration in a commercial trainer aircraft.

NeoGraf commissioned a new production line at its Lakewood, Ohio facility, adding 2,000 tonnes per annum of flexible graphite sheet capacity funded by a $38 million investment, bringing its total to 11,000 tonnes per annum. The expansion increases domestic supply of high-purity exfoliated graphite sheets for EV battery thermal management, where the material's in-plane thermal conductivity above 600 W/m·K at low density addresses a critical requirement for North American automotive manufacturers.

GraphEnergyTech, the University of Cambridge, Taiwan Perovskite Solar Corporation, and ITRI launched the GETPSC project to develop graphene-based electrodes as a replacement for silver electrodes in perovskite solar cells. The project targets a known barrier to commercial-scale perovskite adoption, with potential secondary applications for GraphEnergyTech's conductive carbon technology in batteries, supercapacitors, and electronics.

Harvard researchers demonstrated a nanoporous single-layer graphene membrane that desalinates seawater at 40% lower energy than reverse osmosis, achieving 99.4% salt rejection over 1,000 hours at 12 bar, published in Science. The result advances graphene's viability as a functional membrane material at scale, with a 100 m³/day pilot plant planned in Carlsbad, California in collaboration with Suez Environnement and IDE Technologies.

Levidian and Zentek have signed an agreement to explore building a graphene-integrated manufacturing facility in the Middle East, combining Levidian's methane-derived graphene production with Zentek's graphene-enhanced air filters. The deal signals growing regional demand for graphene-enhanced products and positions the Middle East as an emerging hub for graphene manufacturing and deployment across multiple industries.

Argo Graphene Solutions Corp. completed its first graphene-infused concrete test pour of 12.5 cubic meters in Bristol, Tennessee, and launched a second pour of 15 cubic meters at the same site, with compressive strength testing scheduled at intervals through Day 56 per ASTM C39 standards. The project provides field-scale data on graphene's performance in cement matrices, targeting up to 30% gains in compressive and tensile strength, which could support broader commercial adoption of graphene in construction materials.

Levidian and Graphmatech announced a partnership to co-develop graphene-based polymer composites for hydrogen applications, including pipelines and pressure vessels where graphene reduces hydrogen gas leakage by up to 83%. The collaboration combines Levidian's graphene production with Graphmatech's dispersion technology, targeting a growing market for high-performance composites in the hydrogen sector.

First Graphene and Halocell Energy, in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology, reported that adding First Graphene's PureGraph graphene product to Halocell's perovskite solar cells raised efficiency to 30.6% and cut production costs by up to 80% by replacing gold and silver conductors via roll-to-roll processing. The result demonstrates a commercial application for graphene as a functional coating material in photovoltaics, with cost and efficiency metrics that could accelerate perovskite cell adoption over conventional silicon.

Lancaster University has filed patents on a graphene oxide-enhanced concrete mix using 0.025 wt% graphene oxide that reaches 52 MPa compressive strength with 30% less Portland cement. The development indicates a scalable construction application for graphene oxide that could expand commercial demand for the material while reducing concrete's carbon footprint by 23% per cubic metre.

Researchers developed a 3D porous solar evaporator using recycled carbon fiber combined with a CuO/reduced graphene oxide photothermal layer to improve solar-driven water evaporation performance and salt resistance. The work demonstrates a pathway for valorizing recycled carbon fiber as a functional substrate in graphene-based photothermal composites, linking carbon fiber recycling with emerging solar evaporation applications.